He was dreaming.
This time, he knew it clearly.
He sensed that a hole had appeared in the void beneath his feet.
It was an increasingly large hole.
Until he fell into it.
He could not free himself.
He subconsciously lifted his leg, wanting to get rid of that terrifying hole, but he was greeted by a call.
"Your Highness."
Thales woke up with a start.
Only then did he realize that he was lying horizontally on the seat. His right leg was firmly pressed against the carriage.
And there was no hole under his feet.
Not to mention falling.
There was only the rumbling of horse hooves, the slow sound of wheels, the low murmurs of people, and …
"I am sorry for disturbing your sleep."
In the swaying carriage, Gilbert's gentle voice slowly calmed his panic.
"Did you not rest well last night?"
Thales sat up straight, took a deep breath, and rubbed his face.
"No, I was just …"
'It has been a long time since I had such a good sleep.'
Thales buried his face in his palms and said quietly.
A second later, the prince raised his head from his hands and smiled amiably.
"… I was just resting for a while."
Gilbert looked at him seriously for a long time before a smile appeared on his face.
"Your Highness.
Eternal Star City is right in front of us. "
'Eternal Star City.'
In an instant, this phrase seemed to have supernatural power. It swept away Thales' fatigue and sleepiness.
"What?"
Thales turned his head in surprise.
"So fast?"
The teenager dragged his slightly numb body and tried his best to move to the side of the carriage. He pushed open the window.
"We have only been in Central Territory for a few days —"
Thales' words came to an abrupt halt.
As the carriage went up a slope, he saw it through the vague figures of the cavaliers outside the window.
Under the bright sunlight, the plains were vast, the roads were flat, and the villages were orderly.
It was like a colorful ribbon between the blue sky and the black earth.
More and more people came from both sides of the road.
There were busy peddlers, hurrying farmers, government officials who dashed past, and all sorts of carriages. Some were fast, some were slow, but they were in order. Under the forceful orders of the regular soldiers, they moved to the side of the road. They stayed outside the temporary cordon set up by the soldiers, and they sized up the astonishingly large group of carriages with curious and surprised gazes.
"They are probably some high officials and nobles …"
"Oh, there are so many bodyguards clearing the way. Maybe it's a Grand Duke from another clan."
"What do you think is in that carriage? I'm guessing it's some expensive urinal … "
The indistinct discussion reached the young man's ears.
However, none of this could compare to the focus of Thales' gaze.
It was a city.
In the distance, the towering gray brick city wall stood tall like a towering tree. The protruding sentry towers and battlements were uneven, creating a different kind of scenery. The starry blue flag on top of the city wall fluttered in the wind like rolling waves.
It was not as grand and majestic as Dragon Clouds City, not as sturdy and tough as Broken Dragon Fortress, and not as chaotic and free as Blade Fangs Camp.
But …
For some reason, this orderly, orderly, and seemingly ordinary city attracted his attention so much at this moment.
Eternal Star City.
Thales was a little dazed as he watched.
"You don't need to be nervous."
Gilbert seemed to have sensed the teenager's complicated emotions.
"You went home, that's all."
Thales' gaze still could not leave the city in the distance. He said absentmindedly,
"I know."
I know.
Gilbert did not say anything. He only smiled as he watched the prince lose his composure.
"If you want to, Your Highness …"
Gilbert gave him an encouraging look.
"Then let's go out and see for ourselves."
To see it with his own eyes …
He was unfamiliar yet familiar …
Hometown.
Thales slowly came to his senses, and his gaze gradually became determined.
Gilbert grinned and said,
"I think it's time for Eternal Star City and the entire kingdom to see the heir they haven't seen for six years."
After six years …
Thales' gaze passed through the soldiers, passers-by, the wilderness, and even the city walls in the distance and the clouds in the sky.
"Of course, Gilbert."
Thales turned his head around. His expression was complicated and difficult.
"Of course."
The Foreign Affairs Minister was silent for a few seconds under the prince's rare gaze.
After that, Gilbert gently pushed open the window, knocked on the carriage, and stuck his head out slightly.
"Lord Mallos, could you please slow down and raise the Nine-Pointed Star Flag? Perhaps it is time for His Highness to show himself in public. "
Count Caso's shout caused the horses' hooves and wheels outside the carriage to change their speed and trajectory at the same time. The Royal Guards surrounding the prince's carriage moved. They quickly formed a formation and revealed Watchman Mallos, who was approaching on horseback.
"Let His Highness see his Eternal Star City as well …"
Gilbert continued speaking, but …
"I am very sorry.
"No."
Mallos' voice came from afar like the hooves of a horse. His tone was gentle and polite, but his refusal was very straightforward.
There was no room for negotiation.
Gilbert was stunned for a moment, as if he did not expect that his suggestion would be rejected.
Thales frowned as well.
Fortunately, the Foreign Affairs Minister only paused for a few seconds before he continued to lean out of the carriage and tried to make another effort.
"Alright, Lord Mallos, I understand your work, but we do not need to stop, and we do not need to deviate from the route. It is just that when His Highness enters the main road …"
But what welcomed him was still Mallos' polite answer.
"I cannot allow it."
Thales was stunned.
Gilbert also froze for a moment.
"My lord?"
Mallos' face appeared outside the carriage window, and he exchanged a glance with Thales, who was in the carriage.
"I believe that you understand the commotion caused by the prince's return to the country better than I do. The nobles in the Western Desert are a good example …
"I can even imagine what kind of crowd and chaos we will have to face if the duke shows himself in public. From the commoners who are watching the show to the nobles who are trying to get information … This is too troublesome for us. For safety's sake, I do not think it is suitable for you to show yourself. Instead, you should stay in the carriage until we enter Renaissance Palace."
The watchman continued to smile. He looked at the curious commoners on both sides of the road and rejected him with a friendly tone.
"And there is no need for us to make a big fuss and attract more attention."
For safety's sake.
When he heard the other politely but resolutely reject him, Thales frowned a little.
"Lord Mallos, if you are thinking about safety, we have already reached the capital, and we have all of you and even the regular soldiers behind us. I believe that all of you have the confidence to ensure His Highness' —" Gilbert spoke softly, but he was interrupted by Mallos.
"No, no, no. Do not overestimate us, count. We do not have the Kingdom's Wrath, and we are not the Fortress Flower." Mallos continued to smile, but in Thales' eyes, he did not like it.
"If we were to really face the people who would explode like a tidal wave, we would at most have a fifty-fifty chance of winning."
Gilbert was speechless for a moment.
The Royal Guards looked at each other.
Mallos, on the other hand, was still grinning.
The prince's mood became a little gloomy.
Gilbert sensed that the atmosphere had stiffened.
"I admire the Royal Guards' caution and apprehension, but other than that, shouldn't we consider more?"
Count Caso sat up straight, supported himself with his staff, and adopted the attitude of a professional negotiator.
"Regardless of whether he is the prince or the Duke of Star Lake, on the first day of his return, he should show himself in public. At least for a few seconds, let everyone see him enter the city and let the news spread."
Constellation's Cunning Fox narrowed his eyes.
"And this is for the royal family, for His Majesty's rule and interests."
"Lord Mallos?"
When he heard the other party's righteous and noble reason, Mallos lowered his head and remained silent for a while.
But just when Thales thought that he was about to compromise …
"Hahaha … Perhaps I did not express myself clearly. Perhaps you were just joking."
Mallos raised his head. His smile was even more sincere, but his gaze was calm and indifferent.
"But my mission is to safely escort the prince back to Renaissance Palace, Count Caso." Mallos curled the muscles on both sides of his lips, but there was a sparse smile in his eyes.
"Nothing else."
The nail that was neither too hard nor too soft made Gilbert frown.
When he sensed that Mallos was not cooperating with him in this matter, Thales cast a glance at the narrow carriage that he had stayed in for a long time (relatively speaking). He sensed the numbness on his butt from being shaken by the carriage. He then looked at the vast scenery outside the window, as well as the famous city of his hometown. He was silent, and his emotions were a little depressed.
"We should have talked about this, Your Grace."
Gilbert's tone became a little stiff.
"You and I have our own missions, and we tried our best not to make things difficult for each other. Before this, we worked together pretty well, didn't we?"
As he stared at Gilbert's gaze, Mallos smiled as well.
He was only silent for a few seconds.
"I am very sorry that my mission conflicts with yours." Mallos' expression was still gentle and polite.
"But all I can do is say 'sorry'."
"Count Caso."
He nodded respectfully at the end.
Gilbert's expression was a little unpleasant.
Even though every sentence he said started with a polite and humble apology …
Thales listened to Gilbert's repeated rejections and looked at the slightly displeased Gilbert. He then glanced at the Royal Guards who surrounded him tightly from the corner of his eyes.
He suddenly thought of Dragon Clouds City, Heroic Spirit Palace, and Blood Court.
Nicholas' subordinates did the same over there. They blocked every entrance and exit so tightly that not even a drop of water could trickle through.
As he thought of this, the discomfort in the prince's heart reached its peak.
"Your Grace …" Gilbert sighed.
"The duke will stay in the carriage. This will save us a lot of trouble." The watchman smiled as usual and interrupted Gilbert.
"That will be enough."
When he heard this, Thales, who could not listen to it anymore, could not help but interrupt.
"So, because you think that it is very troublesome, you would rather trap me in the carriage?"
The prince subconsciously raised his voice.
"I thought His Majesty asked you to escort me, not to imprison me?"
The sound of the horses' hooves changed a little.
The prince's loud voice was obviously not normal. A few Royal Guards, or rather, the members of the Star Lake Guards, rushed over nervously, including Doyle and Glover, whom Thales had gradually become familiar with.
Gilbert's expression also changed slightly.
Mallos finally shifted the focus of his gaze to Thales.
Thales frowned. He looked like he wanted an explanation.
But Mallos only paused for a moment before he smiled.
"I'm sorry to make you feel that way, Your Grace."
"After meeting His Majesty, you can protest to him at any time and suggest that he remove me from my position."
Thales was stunned.
Mallos looked at Thales in a gentle manner, shrugged, and said softly,
"But before that, according to tradition and rules, as the watchman of the royal guards and the person in charge of your personal guards …"
"I'm afraid that my consideration and judgment for your personal safety takes precedence over your personal preferences."
"It's my duty, please forgive me."
In that instant, the air inside and outside the carriage seemed to freeze.
Thales' expression was stiff.
Mallos' expression remained the same.
Doyle and Glover looked at each other among the Royal Guards around them. Their eyes were filled with surprise, but they did not dare to breathe loudly.
For some reason, Thales remembered Roman's expression when he was still in Blade Fangs Camp, where he said, "Don't tell me how to do my job".
Just as Gilbert wanted to say something to soothe his cheeks, Thales shut his eyes tightly before he opened them again.
"Are you Royal Guards or my personal guards?"
Thales spoke slowly.
"You should obey my orders."
But Mallos only shook his shoulders.
"You are the Prince of Constellation and the Duke of the kingdom."
The watchman remained respectful, but his words did not show any signs of weakness.
"You should also respect His Majesty's orders."
His eyes shone with a profound light.
"Especially on the first day you returned."
Thales' expression darkened.
"Are you saying …"
The prince stared at Mallos and enunciated each word clearly.
"Is this His Majesty's order?"
At that moment, Gilbert's expression changed as well.
"No," the watchman said faintly while he rode on his horse.
"It's just the way I carry out my orders."
'The way I carry out my orders.'
Thales' gaze changed.
Doyle, who was listening by the side nervously, suddenly felt that the air around him seemed to have become thick.
"Lord Mallos."
Under everyone's gazes, the prince faced the watchman who refused to back down and spoke softly.
"I want you to stop the carriage, now."
But Mallos only snorted softly.
"I really want to —"
"My lord!" Gilbert, who sensed that something was wrong, shouted sternly and interrupted Mallos.
The Foreign Affairs Minister then turned to Thales, who had a cold expression.
He said gently, "Your Highness, we have traveled a lot today. Perhaps you do need to rest … I believe that Lord Mallos is also doing this to protect you —"
But Thales interrupted him.
"Protect me." The prince's words seemed to have been dipped in ice water.
"Just like six years ago?"
Gilbert was momentarily speechless.
Thales and Mallos' gazes met in the air. One of them was cold and sharp, while the other was calm and indifferent.
Doyle, who was watching by the side, suddenly had a bad feeling.
"Gilbert, tell me," the prince said softly.
"The personal guards of each Duke of Star Lake, such as John, are all Royal Guards directly mobilized by the king and stationed around him?"
Gilbert froze.
Mallos also narrowed his eyes slightly.
The Star Lake Guards around them looked at each other with different expressions.
A few seconds later, Gilbert coughed, and he seemed to be rather embarrassed.
"That is because you have been away from home for too long, and you lack the manpower by your side. His Majesty is also worried …"
Thales did not hear the rest of his words.
He only stared intently at Mallos.
It was as if he was staring at another person.
"I understand," the prince said softly.
"Continue."
Mallos' expression froze.
"What?"
Thales stared straight at him.
"Continue smiling, Lord Mallos."
Under the puzzled gazes of the Royal Guards around him, Thales snorted coldly.
"Because if you don't smile …
"Then you will look like a dead man."
Mallos was stunned.
Gilbert looked at Thales worriedly.
"Your Highness …"
But Thales ignored Gilbert's words. He only minded his own business and looked at Mallos, who had a puzzled expression on his face.
Mallos frowned slightly and ignored him. He turned his horse around and gave his order.
"Return to the previous formation …"
But this time, the prince spoke before he could.
"Then, the watchman of the Royal Guards, the royal knight, and my captain of the Star Lake Guards, Lord Tormond Mallos!"
The watchman's gaze froze.
Thales raised his voice so that the Royal Guards around him could hear him clearly.
"To thank you for your hard work and diligence in escorting me back to the capital …"
When he said this, all the guards were puzzled.
Thales stared intently at Mallos and said slowly,
"I want …
To reward you. "
Steal Fragrance
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